How To Win at Interviews

This will probably be your first direct contact with the company and will give you an insight into it's workings and the chance to meet with it's personnel to see if it is a place that you would like to work.

Whilst interviews can be nerve wracking experiences, you should remember that the interviewer is only human and it is possible that s/he is nervous also.

Be prepared for a job interview

Prepare your job interview resources before the day. You will need to take a couple of copies of your job resume or CV, a reference list and if possible some examples of work you have done in the past.

Find out information about the company you want to work for. Carry out research into the company, know what it's products are, its size, income, reputation, image, goals, problems. How many people do they employ and what is the company philosophy? Know the companies origins, is it a family company, where and when was it established?

Study any recent press cuttings about the company and try to slip your up to date knowledge into conversation.

Remember, these same keywords you used in your resume will be the foundation for your job interviews. Not only do you need to be able to write about your keywords, but also during an interview, you must be able to verbally communicate about them as well, in strong and powerful statements that highlight your successes, contributions and achievements.

Be prepared to market your skills and experiences as they relate to the job described. Work at positioning yourself in the mind of the employer as a person with a particular set of job skills and attributes. Employers have problems that need to be solved by employees with particular job skills. So, describe your qualifications appropriately.

You may like to practice your responses to some of the more common interview questions and prepare a list yourself of questions that you want to ask.

Plan to arrive for your job interview 5-10 minutes before the appointed time. Arriving too early confuses the employer and creates an awkward situation. Similarly, arriving late creates a bad first impression.

Even if you are going for an interview at a funky 'dot. com' company you should still portray a smart business image. It is recommended that both men and women wear a suit and sensible shoes. Women wear a moderate amount of makeup and simple jewelry. Men should be clean shaven with a conservative tie and ironed shirt. Check the country dress code.

Carry a portfolio note-pad or at the very least a manila file folder labeled with the employer's name. Bring extra printed resumes or CVs and a list of questions you need answered. You may refer to your list of questions to be sure you have gathered the information you need to make a decision.

Do not be preoccupied with taking notes during the interview.

In many career fields, the lunch or dinner included during the interview day is not only employer hospitality, but also a significant part of the job interview process. Brush up on your etiquette and carry your share of the conversation during the meal. Often social skills are part of the hiring decisions.

After the job interview, take time to write down the names and titles (check spelling) of all your interviewers, your impressions, remaining questions and information learned. If you are interviewing regularly, this will help you keep employers and circumstances clearly defined.